ESM PREP Alumni

Home for the holiday’s? Have a few weeks off of school and wondering what to do with all your free time? Head to the link in our bio to learn how to maximize your break.

Head to the link in our bio to read more about how to be successful after transferring colleges from one of our ESM team members! 

Happy Thanksgiving week from all of us at ESM Prep!

Staying healthy and energized during the last 4-6 weeks of your semester is crucial to avoid burnout and exhaustion. First and foremost, make sure you’re getting enough sleep! A great way to ensure you can get your eight hours is to look ahead at big projects and deadlines. Getting a kick start on your school work will help you avoid a last minute crunch that keeps you up all night. Another way to avoid burnout is by staying active!Look ahead at your schedule and make sure to block out time to move your body. It can be anything from a 30 minute walk around campus, a light jog, or even a yoga class if your school offers it. This will help you reset your mind and body, and make sure you’re fresh and prepared for the end of the semester!

Getting prepared for midterms in college can be a very stressful time, especially in your first semester. As midterms are approaching, staying organized can help prevent feeling burned out or overwhelmed. Plan your study blocks, take time for breaks, make sure you eat well, and get enough rest, and you'll be ready for those exams! 📚

As you settle into your new routine of college classes you may be feeling as if you need some academic support. Keep in mind your professors are only one facet of support available to you on campus. Consider the following people or departments if you ever find yourself needing a little extra guidance outside of the classroom.

•Tutoring / Writing Center
•TAs / GTAs / GTFs
•Technology center
•Office hours
•Academic advisors
•Library resources

Alumni Spotlight: Meet Antonio Clegg Gonzalez:

Antonio grew up in London and moved to the United States in 2019, where he attended Sacred Heart Prep in Atherton. He graduated from high school in 2020 and now attends the University of Pennsylvania where he anticipates pursuing a double major in astrophysics and finance.

Thus far at UPenn, Antonio has made connections with classmates in the business school and is looking forward to connecting with others who have subatomic particle experience. He also hopes to connect  with his finance and physics professors to help himself  succeed during his undergraduate years.

During his time with ESM Prep, Antonio credits the combination of Billy, Adam, and Cameron for helping and supporting him immensely. They have all inspired Antonio to take his education seriously, and, in turn, he wants to inspire students to always push themselves in the present, to prepare and make things easier in the future.

Our ESM Alumni team is thrilled to start sharing more about our wonderful alumni to help others connect through our program. Please DM us or contact our Alumni Relations Manager, Payton Ksidakis, if you would like to share more about yourself and connect with fellow alum. We look forward to learning more about what our ESM alumni are currently doing!

College is the place to experience new things, and one of the best ways to do that is to get involved on campus. Your school will likely have an activities fair in the first few weeks of classes, and this is a great way to explore what is available to you. From the Italian Club to Social Justice groups, Doctor Who fans to the Gardening Club, the activities fair will have something for everyone. Go, talk to the members of the clubs, and choose something that interests you! You’ll meet people outside of your major, dorm, and classes who share similar interests.

It’s about time to sign up for your fall semester classes. Here are things to consider before hitting submit!

1. Classes fill up quickly. Know when the sign ups open and choose your classes immediately don’t forget to have back up options.
2. Talk to people you may know at the school or other alumni to get more information on different majors, minors, or classes you may be interested in.
3. Be aware of the location and times of classes - if possible, try to be on the same side of campus on any given morning or afternoon to save yourself from running across campus.
4. Try to schedule classes so you have breaks to work on homework or studying, and time to decompress throughout the day.

We are around the corner from college move-in day, but first, you will need a roommate! This experience can bring you lifelong friendships, but nothing worthwhile is without challenges. Head to the link in our bio to read about one of our mentor's takeaways and tips on having a successful roommate experience and how to prepare for this new journey.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Meet Casey Conrad:

Casey graduated from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California in 2017. He recently graduated from Princeton University in May of 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Geosciences.

During his time at Princeton, Casey had the opportunity to make several connections through water polo and eating club which eventually led him to 4 different internship experiences. One of which allowed Casey to explore valuable research in the area of environmental science through the USDA Forest Service. He also participated in a wintership with a venture capital firm working on market research projects which allowed him to explore finances and Geoscience in greater depth.

In the future, Casey wants to utilize his knowledge and passion for Geoscience and finances to continue to learn and search for ways to better our environment. He is inspired by his older sister who has been his role model by attending college and encouraging him to follow his dreams. Casey hopes to inspire young people to find what they are passionate about and dedicate their lives to it.

The summer before college is bound to be one of your most memorable—and one of your busiest. It should be spent with loved ones; It should be full of adventure. It should also be used to carefully plan the next four years of your life.

Head to the link in our bio to read advice from one of our mentors on how to make the summer before college really count!